3-4-16 Education in the NewsGSCS NOTE: While stating up front the value of the concepts of early childhood education, GSC testified on several of the bills, focusing on the funding issues inherent in the bill package, e.g., requiring full day kindergarten by 2018-2019 for District Factor Group districts AB-DE, and 2019-2020 for the remainder of DFG's through I-J...

NJ Spotlight--Bill Expanding, Bolstering Early Childhood Education Unveiled in State Senate...But realities of lack of funding and inadequate facilities are among obstacles facing wide-ranging legislation 'A package of bills that would expand and improve early childhood education and services in the state got a boost yesterday in the state Senate. But it also became clearer that the wide-ranging proposals face daunting real-life challenges going forward...'
NJ.com-- 'Charter schools are 'salvation for families,' Christie says Gov. Chris Christie reiterated his praise for charter schools on Thursday, saying the schools are "salvation for families, especially in failing urban districts." Christie, who approved the opening of three new charter schools this week, added that he'll strike down any attempt by legislators to treat charter schools unfairly...'

Asbury Park Press--Superintendent salary cap fails taxpayers...'A 2011 austerity measure meant to stop runaway salaries for school superintendents has had an unintended consequence — while it has held the school chiefs' pay largely in check, it has allowed some subordinates, including principals, to earn significantly more than their bosses...'

Washington Post--'Activists urge Senate not to confirm Obama’s pick for new education secretary Dozens of students, parents, educators and activists are urging the U.S. Senate not to confirm John King, President Obama’s choice to succeed Arne Duncan as education secretary...'

The fate of a measure capping pay for school chiefs will be decided this year.

A 2011 austerity measure meant to stop runaway salaries for school superintendents has had an unintended consequence — while it has held the school chiefs' pay largely in check, it has allowed some subordinates, including principals, to earn significantly more than their bosses.

After five years, the feel-good measure has led to almost no savings for taxpayers because it failed to control all top salaries, an Asbury Park Press investigation found.

Washington Post--Activists urge Senate not to confirm Obama’s pick for new education secretary

Dozens of students, parents, educators and activists are urging the U.S. Senate not to confirm John King, President Obama’s choice to succeed Arne Duncan as education secretary, because he pushed education policies when he was education commissioner of New York State that they say were “ineffective and destructive.”

The Senate education committee held confirmation hearings last week and his confirmation by the panel and the full Senate is expected this month. But a growing number of King critics are speaking out, including a few school boards in New York, which passed resolutions against his confirmation. Now a letter signed by a long list of individuals and organizations warns senators not to be “misled” by King’s “vague promises to do better.” Signatories include education historian and activist Diane Ravitch, educator Deborah Meier, and Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.